Chicago weekend events for kids

There's a lot going on in this world-class city we live in, and the options can be overwhelming. So every week, we'll pick our not-to-miss events. Chances are, you'll see us there, kids in tow. If none of these suit your schedule, browse our full calendar to find events near you.

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Mickey and Minnie lead the audience on an exciting adventure that will have families rooting for their favorite pirate Jake and Disney's first little girl princess Sofia. The show begins with a special interactive pre-show featuring the loveable 6-year-old doctor to toys and stuffed animals, Doc McStuffins. Children and their parents will sing the “I Feel Better” song along with Doc as she provides tender love and care.

Free family art event for all ages featuring workshops in ceramics, printmaking, photograms, shrinky dinks, cuddly buddies, papercrafts, an open studio for toddlers and preschoolers, and art exhibits, including interactive artworks and a fictive museum of fairy tales.

Listen to the stories of Coyote, the lovable and laughable Native American literary character who is hero, clown, educator, magician and fool, all wrapped in one. Hear about Coyote’s adventures as he treks across the continent, making the world ready for the coming of human beings and often getting into trouble along the way. This fireside includes a break for a craft and hot cocoa.

Feed your children’s imagination with humor, mystery and magic while exposing them to French language (all levels are welcome). Traditional as well as contemporary French tales are staged with puppets and drawings. Side activities will facilitate comprehension and make them active.

The Forest Park Chamber of Commerce's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade features Bagpipers, local business entries, police and fire, antique cars, Proviso Marching Band, Medinah Mini Choppers, World Famous Lawn Rangers and more.

Spend the day getting up close and personal with some amazing and fascinating reptiles from all over the world. Visitors can meet over 150 animals including "Bubba" the famous American Alligator, the Wildlife Discovery Center's celebrated rattlesnake collection, lizards, snakes of all shapes and sizes, turtles, crocodilians, tortoises, frogs and much more.

This theatrical production presents the Philharmonic Orchestra on stage performing the original music from Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, and includes the characters of Peter, a district attorney, a judge, and of course – the wolf. During the concert’s intermission, children may try their hand at playing various orchestral instruments in the Philharmonic’s “Instrumental Petting Zoo.” Refreshments will also be available for purchase. After the intermission, children have an opportunity to line up and take turns being the “maestro” when “Kids Conduct the Philharmonic.” This family-friendly concert closes with the endearing composition, Tubby the Tuba, where the orchestral story of Tubby and his good friends, Peepo the Piccolo and Mr. Frog, musically unfolds.

Supporting families through various ages and stages of development, this event brings together service providers, school options, and nonprofits in one place that focus on serving parents of children with developmental differences. Categories of need include, but are not limited to: developmental delays (i.e., speech, motor skills), sensory processing disorder, autism, ADD/ADHD, PDD-NOS, mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, Down Syndrome, and physical disabilities.